Car Autozone (2024)

FAQs

How to clear car error code? ›

Plug an OBD-II scanner into your vehicle's OBD port and reset it to clear the check engine light. Disconnecting and reconnecting your battery will restart your vehicle's computer and clear the light. Drive an older vehicle around for a few days after repairs. The light will go off on its own once the computer resets.

Visit Your Local AutoZone Store for Free Fix Finder Service

AutoZone offers a complimentary Fix Finder service that efficiently diagnoses warning lights, including Check Engine, ABS, and maintenance indicators. Simply visit your nearest AutoZone store when a warning light appears on your vehicle's dashboard.

It is as reliable as the standard OBD fault codes allow. It's no worse than a dealer reading the same codes. However, a dealer can tell you more how those codes apply to the specific vehicle and is more likely to find the actual root problem of the car.

The free test takes less than a minute, and you'll get an easy to understand report printed and emailed. How to get your warning light checked: If you see a warning light, come to AutoZone.

Yes, if enough time has passed since disconnecting the battery. Once all residual electricity has dissipated from your car's circuits, the volatile memory in your car computer, also known as the Engine Control Unit (ECU), will be cleared, resetting it to its default settings.

The car's internal computer only resets after a set period where it checks all of its sensors once more. The reset can happen automatically after around 10 to 20 cycles. A cycle is a phase where you turn on the car and turn it off again. For other vehicles, you'll have to drive around 50 to 100 miles before it resets.

You first want to press and hold the odometer reset button and the trip button at the same time. While holding those down, turn the ignition on and release the odometer reset and trip buttons. After taking these steps, the diagnostic codes should appear in your odometer display.

Low Oil and Check Engine Light

However, low oil pressure, which can be caused by low oil levels, can be a reason for the check engine light to turn on. Low oil pressure can seriously interfere with your car's performance and disable your vehicle if not addressed immediately.

Can Mechanics Read Error Codes Without the Check Engine Light? Most mechanics will be perfectly able to read error codes without a check engine light.

Get a new OBDII scanner at AutoZone and expand your DIY horizons. Or, explore our Loan-A-Tool program to borrow the tester at no charge.

How to reset check engine light without disconnecting battery? ›

Turn The Car Ignition On And Off Three Times

Another way to reset check engine light without tapping into effort-requiring techniques is restarting the car three times. Put the key in the ignition, turn it on and then off. The very next second, repeat the process. Repeat once more to complete three times in a row.

Oxygen Sensor Malfunction

One of the most common reasons your check engine light may come on is that your oxygen sensor is failing. Your local auto repair shop in Western Washington can replace it for you quickly, which will restore your vehicle's ability to measure unburned oxygen in its exhaust system.

If you see a warning light, come to AutoZone.

Fix Finder reads information from the Check Engine, ABS, and maintenance lights. The test often takes less than a minute once the reader is plugged in. Find the closest store to you.

You can get to the bottom of your vehicle's diagnostics by purchasing your own code reader, or you can bring your car to your local AutoZone and get it scanned as a part of our free Fix Finder service.

Because car diagnostic tests require specific devices and expertise to read correctly, most tests are performed with mechanics or at dealer shops. However, you can also perform a car diagnostic test at home if you have the proper knowledge and equipment.

The only way to clear a PDTC is to fix the underlying problem with the vehicle that originally caused the PDTC and its corresponding DTC to set, and then allow the vehicle sufficient drive time to re-run the monitor that identified the problem in the first place.

Simply place your key into the ignition and turn it on for 1-2 seconds, then turn it off for 1-2 seconds. Repeat this step three or four times. If the check engine light remains after the reset, you might still have a problem with your vehicle.

Most DTCs can be deleted using an OBD-II scanner, which is a tool used as part of the diagnostic and repair process (allowing mechanics to see if the code returns after a component is replaced, for example). It's also possible to reset a DTC by temporarily disconnecting the vehicle's 12-volt battery.

To reset the car computer, one common method is to disconnect the battery for a few minutes, which will erase any stored data and reset the computer's memory. Another method involves using an OBD-II scanner or diagnostic tool to clear any diagnostic trouble codes that may be stored in the computer.